Dhruva was the son of King Uttanpaad.He had a half brother Uttam and a step mother of the traditional fok lore.He was mal abused by her.He became a devote.Later Lord Vishnu saved him and placed him on top of the world and made him a Star.
I am not sure of these facts.Better take a second opinion.

Answered by Vijay Kayal , an ibibo Master, at 2:38 PM on September 02, 2008

The story of Dhruv appears in the Shrimad Bhaagvad.

It is written that he who reads or/and listens to the story of Dhruv, achieves devotion and his sorrows are destroyed.

Hindus have handed down, to their children stories pregnant with wisdom.

These are not only enthralling legends but enfold deep insights.

The story of Dhruv, is a very popular tale that illustrates fundamental religious beliefs through the triumph of a 5-year old, in the spiritual field.

The father of Dhruv was a king called Uttanpad, who was married to Suruchi and Suneeti.

The father had a special liking for his wife Suruchi.

Dhruv was Suneeti’s son.

Uttam was Suruchi’s son.

At this point I would like to point to you the meanings of the names of the queens.

Suruchi means (the desire to enjoy) what the senses ask for.

Suneeti means that which is correct.

Now you will not be surprised why the king had a weakness for Suruchi.

Anyway, to continue with the story, once Dhruv saw Uttam sitting on the father’s lap.

Little Dhruv asked his father to carry him, and give him a seat on his lap too.

This wish infuriated Suruchi who lashed out at the child, saying that he would acquire the right to sit on his father’s lap, only were he to perform penance and be born from her womb.

The humiliated little child ran to Suneeti and fighting back tears of anger, recounted what had transpired, to his mother.

The mother Suneeti consoled and instructed little Dhruv

She told him:

If you have to beg for something, let that be from God!

However much you ask of a human being, it will be little.

Many a times asking brings with it, humiliation.

When God gives, he gives in plenty.

God will make you sit on his lap with love. He is the true father of Mankind.

Before you go, ask for the blessings of Suruchi.

Suruchi has spoken words of truth, even if you want the throne, pray to the Lord!

Go to the forest and perform penance.

I am not sending you alone, my blessings and God are with you.

The little child set out for the forest.

He felt confident that no harm would befall him as he had with him, God and his mother’s blessings.

A person who leaves home with blessings, is bound to meet a godly person who will guide him.

Sure enough Dhruv met Naradji.

The deserving do not need to search for a guru. The latter is found at the right time, in the right spot; and a true disciple recognizes him instantly.

Naradji dissuaded Dhruv from undertaking such a difficult task. Naradji told Dhruv:

"You are young, you should be spending your time playing…even great sages have not achieved the Almighty…"

But Dhruv was adamant.

Naradji taught Dhruv, the technique of prayer and asked him to chant the following mantra:

‘Om namo Bhagvade Vaasudevaaya’

The Tapasya (Penance) of Dhruv
For the 1st month he subsisted on fruit and meditated for 3 days at a stretch.

For the second month, he meditated for 6 days at a stretch.

For the 3rd month, Dhruv meditated for 9 days at a stretch and subsisted on only leaves.

For the 4th month, he meditated for 12 days at a stretch and subsisted on only water from the Yamuna River.

For the 5th month Dhruv meditated for 15 days at a stretch, and renounced water as well.

By the 6th month Dhruv decided that he would stay put in the same position until the Lord appeared.

Impressed by the perseverance of Dhruv the Lord remarked that He was proceeding to Dhruv.

More to honor Dhruv rather than to be honored by him.

As the Lord stood in front of Dhruv, the latter did not open his eyes as he was already seeing the Almighty within his own heart.

The Lord made

Answered by Vipan Thapar , an ibibo Master, at 12:53 PM on August 31, 2008

Uttanapada was married to Suniti. They were quite unhappy because, although they were getting quite old, the queen had been unable to produce an heir to the crown. Since the continuance of the line was imperative, the queen insisted that her husband take a second wife. The king initially opposed the idea but finally relented. He married Suruchi, his second queen, who soon bore him a son, Uttam. As it turned out, Suniti, the first queen, also became pregnant after some time and gave birth to a son who was named Dhruv. This did not please the second queen who clearly wanted her son to become the crown prince. She was quite jealous of the newborn and his mother and did everything necessary to win the king's favor for herself and her son. Consequently, the king spent increasingly less time with Suniti and Dhruv. So Suniti was forced to live outside the royal palace with her son Dhruv, while Suruchi and her son Uttam enjoyed all the luxuries in the palace. It is no coincidence that Suruchi means "the desire to enjoy' whereas Suniti means "that which is correct". Once Uttam was sitting on the king's lap when Dhruv arrived there and wanted to sit on his father's lap. But for the fear of Suruchi the king did not take Dhruv in his lap. Suruchi came just then and she ridiculed Dhruv. She said, "Though you are also a son of the king, you have no right to sit on the throne because you are not born to me. You are the son of queen Suniti who is neglected by the King. If you wish to have the throne, you must worship Lord Narayana (another name of Vishnu), and take birth through me and then wait for your chance to sit on the king's lap." Hurt by his stepmother's harsh words, Dhruv vowed to achieve a place significantly higher than his father's lap. When Suniti heard about the incident, she felt very sorry. Still, with patience she consoled her son Dhruv. "O my son, don't wish ill for the others. Those who cause sorrow for others, have to face the outcome themselves one day. Your stepmother is right. You have been born to me. Even then, if you wish to be enthroned like the prince Uttam, give up your jealousy and start worshipping Lord Narayana. Before you go, ask for the blessings of Suruchi."

Answered by Anju Singh , an ibibo Master, at 12:36 PM on August 31, 2008

Dhruva was born a son of the King Uttānpāda (who was the son of Svayambhuva Manu) and his wife Suniti. The king also had another son Uttama, born to his second queen Suruchi, who was the preferred object of his affection. Once, when Dhruva was but a child of five years of age, the two princes playfully raced towards their father's lap. But, the headstrong Suruchi chided Dhruva and insulted him for trying to woo the attention of his father, when he did not deserve it because "he was not born to her." She further mocked at his plight, by asking him to redeem himself by seeking Vishnu's blessings.

Suniti consoled the distraught child, by asking him to take Suruchi's words seriously and to observe penance in meditation of the Lord. She bid him farewell as he set out on a lonely journey to the forest. Dhruva was determined to seek for himself his rightful place, and noticing this resolve, the divine sage Narada appeared before him and tried to desist him from assuming a severe austerity upon himself at such a tender age. But, Dhruva's fierce determination knew no bounds, and the astonished sage guided him towards his goal by teaching him the rituals and mantras. The one mantra which Narada taught and which was effectively used by Dhruva was OM NAMO BHAGAVTE VĀSUDEVĀYA. Vishnu Purana also mentions this same mantra.

Having been advised, Dhruva started his penance, and went without food and water for six months, his mind fixed on the Lord. The austerity of his penance shook the heavens and the Lord appeared before him, but the child would not open his eyes because he was still merged in his inner vision of Vishnu's form described to him by Narada. Lord Vishnu had to adopt a strategy of causing that inner vision to disappear. Immediately Dhruva opened his eyes, and, seeing outside what he had been seeing all along in his mental vision, prostrated himself before the Lord. But he could not utter a single word. The Lord touched his right cheek by his divine conch and that sparked off his speech. Out poured forth a beautiful poem of praise of the Lord in 12 powerful verses, which together are called Dhruva-stuti.

Vishnu Purana gives a slightly different account here. When Vishnu was pleased with Dhruva's tapasya and asked him to ask for a varadāna (grant of wishes), Dhruva said that that he (being an uneducated child) did not know how to sing the praise of Lord Vishnu, and therefore asked the varadāna of a knowledge of stuti (hymn in the praise of Vishnu). Other persons would have asked for worldly or heavenly pleasures, or for moksha at most, but Dhruva had no personal desire. Renunciation of all desires in regarded to be essential for eternal peace in Hinduism (and in Buddhism) : this is the meaning of Dhruva-pada (spiritual pole star).That reason why the saptarshis decided to give the most revered seat of Pole Star to this six year old child.

The Dhruva-stuti as mentioned in the Vishnu Purana is an extended version of Vedic Purusha-sukta and is quite different from the Dhruva-stuti of Srimad Bhagavatam.

Having spent a long time in the Lord's remembrance he even forgot the objective of his penance, and only asked for a life in memory of the Lord. Pleased by his penance and by his stuti, Vishnu granted his wish and further decreed that the lad would attain Dhruvapada - the state where he would become a celestial body which would not even be touched by the Maha Pralaya, or the final cataclysm

Answered by Chandra , an ibibo Advisor, at 1:26 AM on August 31, 2008

The Vishnu Purana has a different tale about the descendents of Uttanapada who was one of Manu's sons.

Uttanapada was married to Suniti. They were quite unhappy because, although they were getting quite old, the queen had been unable to produce an heir to the crown. Since the continuance of the line was imperative, the queen insisted that her husband take a second wife. The king initially opposed the idea but finally relented. He married Suruchi, his second queen, who soon bore him a son, Uttam. As it turned out, Suniti, the first queen, also became pregnant after some time and gave birth to a son who was named Dhruv. This did not please the second queen who clearly wanted her son to become the crown prince. She was quite jealous of the newborn and his mother and did everything necessary to win the king's favor for herself and her son. Consequently, the king spent increasingly less time with Suniti and Dhruv. So Suniti was forced to live outside the royal palace with her son Dhruv, while Suruchi and her son Uttam enjoyed all the luxuries in the palace.

It is no coincidence that Suruchi means "the desire to enjoy' whereas Suniti means "that which is correct". Once Uttam was sitting on the king's lap when Dhruv arrived there and wanted to sit on his father's lap. But for the fear of Suruchi the king did not take Dhruv in his lap. Suruchi came just then and she ridiculed Dhruv. She said, "Though you are also a son of the king, you have no right to sit on the throne because you are not born to me. You are the son of queen Suniti who is neglected by the King. If you wish to have the throne, you must worship Lord Narayana (another name of Vishnu), and take birth through me and then wait for your chance to sit on the king's lap." Hurt by his stepmother's harsh words, Dhruv vowed to achieve a place significantly higher than his father's lap. When Suniti heard about the incident, she felt very sorry. Still, with patience she consoled her son Dhruv. "O my son, don't wish ill for the others.

Those who cause sorrow for others, have to face the outcome themselves one day. Your stepmother is right. You have been born to me. Even then, if you wish to be enthroned like the prince Uttam, give up your jealousy and start worshipping Lord Narayana. Before you go, ask for the blessings of Suruchi."

For more visit :

http://www.suite101.com/a rticle.cfm/mythology_from_indi a/84722

Answered by Ashish Yadav , an ibibo Wizard, at 11:35 AM on August 30, 2008

King Dhruva ruled his kingdom for thousands of
years, later he retired to the forests of Badhari for
undertaking Thapasya(penance). While in
thapasya,messengers from Lord Vishnu appeared before
him and took him to the heavenly abode in an
aeroplane. True to his words,Lord Sainath presented
Kakasaheb Dikshit on(05-07-1926) and Mahilsapathi
on (11-09-1922),both of his ardent devotees with
similar moksha to their lives. The promise which Baba
made while in flesh and blood that- "I shall take you
in an aeroplane to the destiny" was fulfilled.
visit groups.msn.co

Answered by Jyothi , an ibibo Master, at 2:18 PM on August 29, 2008

The Pole Star is still today called the Dhruva Nakshtra in India. Dhruva's father was a ruler, named Uttamapada. He had two queens, and Dhruva was the son of the senior Maharani, Suniti. One day little Dhruva went and sat on the lap of his royal father. The junior queen, Suruchi, was annoyed because she wanted her son to sit on the king's lap. She jealously pushed Dhruva away with an angry frown. He became very sad and dejected. When a sorrowful Dhruva went to his mother she consoled him by saying that he should not worry about such small things and to pray to God to help him.

Dhruva decided to earn the love and affection of the whole universe. He wanted to pray until he met God himself. So he went off to the forests to do intense prayer, contemplation and meditation (tapasya). He was not afraid of anything. The loneliness, the wild animals, the dark night, nothing scared him.

The tradition says that he stood on one leg and meditated for five months. During the first month he ate only fruits. During the second month he lived on grass. During the third he survived only on water. He survived only on air during the fourth month. He meditated on God in the form of Lord Narayana. Nothing else existed in his awareness.

Eventually Lord Narayana descended to the world, and blessed little Dhruva. He also returned Dhruva to his father's palace, where he was received by Uttamapada and eventually ruled after him. Narayana also granted Dhruva a boon by which he would be honoured even by the sun and the moon, as well as by the seven great sages of the constellation now known as the Great Bear. Dhruva was placed in the heavens as the unwavering Pole Star, and all celestial bodies still travel around him.
source; http://www.sahajmarg.org/youth/stor y2.html

Answered by Tingtong , an ibibo Master, at 9:53 AM on August 29, 2008

Dhruva was born a son of the King Uttanpada (who was the son of Svayambhuva Manu) and his wife Suniti. The king also had another son Uttama, born to his second queen Suruchi, who was the preferred object of his affection. Once, when Dhruva was but a child of five years of age, the two princes playfully raced towards their father's lap. But, the headstrong Suruchi chided Dhruva and insulted him for trying to woo the attention of his father, when he did not deserve it because "he was not born to her." She further mocked at his plight, by asking him to redeem himself by seeking Vishnu's blessings.

Suniti consoled the distraught child, by asking him to take Suruchi's words seriously and to observe penance in meditation of the Lord. She bid him farewell as he set out on a lonely journey to the forest. Dhruva was determined to seek for himself his rightful place, and noticing this resolve, the divine sage Narada appeared before him and tried to desist him from assuming a severe austerity upon himself at such a tender age. But, Dhruva's fierce determination knew no bounds, and the astonished sage guided him towards his goal by teaching him the rituals and mantras. The one mantra which Narada taught and which was effectively used by Dhruva was OM NAMO BHAGAVTE VĀSUDEVĀYA. Vishnu Purana also mentions this same mantra. Having been advised thus, Dhruva started his penance, and went without food and water for six months, his mind fixed on the Lord. The austerity of his penance shook the heavens and the Lord appeared before him.

Answered by Shishir , an ibibo Master, at 9:51 AM on August 29, 2008

well,Dhruv ध्रुव appears in the Bhagavata Purana and the Vishnu Purana. It is written that he who reads or/and listens to the story of Dhruv, achieves devotion and his sorrows are destroyed. Hindus have handed down, to their children stories pregnant with wisdom. These are not only enthralling legends but enfold deep insights. The story of Dhruv, is a very popular history that illustrates fundamental religious beliefs through the triumph of a 5-year old, in the spiritual field.

The father of Dhruv was a king called Uttanpad, who was married to Suruchi and Suneeti. The father had a special liking for his wife Suruchi. Dhruv was Suneeti’s son. Uttam was Suruchi’s son. Suruchi means (the desire to enjoy) what the senses ask for. Suneeti means that which is correct. Now you will not be surprised why the king had a weakness for Suruchi. Once Dhruv saw Uttam sitting on the father’s lap. Little Dhruv asked his father to carry him, and give him a seat on his lap too.

This wish infuriated Suruchi who lashed out at the child, saying that he would acquire the right to sit on his father’s lap, only were he to perform penance and be born from her womb. The humiliated little child ran to Suneeti and fighting back tears of anger, recounted what had transpired, to his mother. The mother Suneeti consoled and instructed little Dhruv.

She told him:

1. If you have to beg for something, let that be from God!
2. However much you ask of a human being, it will be little.
3. Many a times asking brings with it, humiliation.
4. When God gives, he gives in plenty.
5. God will make you sit on his lap with love. He is the true father of Mankind.
6. Before you go, ask for the blessings of Suruchi.
7. Suruchi has spoken words of truth, even if you want the throne, pray to the Lord!
8. Go to the forest and perform penance.
9. I am not sending you alone, my blessings and God are with you.

The little child set out for the forest. He felt confident that no harm would befall him as he had with him, God and his mother’s blessings. A person who leaves home with blessings, is bound to meet a godly person who will guide him. Sure enough Dhruv met Naradji [ A Hindu deity]. The deserving do not need to search for a guru. The latter is found at the right time, in the right spot; and a true disciple recognizes him instantly. Naradji dissuaded Dhruv from undertaking such a difficult task. Naradji told Dhruv: "You are young, you should be spending your time playing…even great sages have not achieved the Almighty..." But Dhruv was adamant. Naradji taught Dhruv, the technique of prayer and asked him to chant the following mantra: "Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaaya".
source:en.wiki pedia.org/wiki/Legend_of_Dhruv

Answered by Debashis , an ibibo Master, at 9:00 AM on August 29, 2008